S87 Toronto Legion Team Awards

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S87 Team Awards

 

For a team under new management that was going through a rebuild, S87 couldn’t have gone much better for the Toronto Legion. Secure a high draft pick? Check. Bring in some of the organization’s highly-touted prospects and get them acclimated to the VHL? Check. Still have some fun along the way? Check. This season may not have been deemed a success by someone looking at the win column but it is a big step forward toward making Toronto a contending team long-term. The young players that have already made their mark on the team (some by winning these awards) and the culture that is being instilled are the future in Toronto.

 

Here are some of the individual highlights:

 

  Kyle Peace continued to climb the ranks of Toronto’s all-time goal scorers moving into 6^th place (248) only two behind 5^th place Bo Boeser.

  After being selected 1^st Overall in the S87 Entry Draft, center Mac Altas finished the season 5^th in rookie scoring with 46 points.

  Defenseman Quinn Clark led rookies in power play goals (10) and finished 2^nd in rookie defensemen scoring with 40 points.

  Rookie goalie Joel Castle led all starters in saving 88.5% of the 26 shootout shots he faced.

 

Statistical Leaders:

 

Goals:	Kyle Peace	29
Assists:	Sting Chameleon	55
Points:	Sting Chameleon	67
+/-:	Harry Hagel	-3
PIM:	Cadmael Ixazaluoh	142
Hits:	Babushka	175
Shots:	Kyle Peace	345
Shots Blocked:	Sting Chameleon	162
PPG:	Quinn Clark	10
GWG:	Quinn Clark	4
Fights:	Cadmael Ixazaluoh	6
Wins:	Joel Castle	19
GAA:	DJ Fire Dragon	2.63
SV%:	DJ Fire Dragon	0.930
SO:	Joel Castle	4

 

 

 Here are the S87 Team Awards as voted by the Toronto players and management:

 

Best Defenseman

Sting Chameleon

In his fifth season, all with the Legion, Sting Chameleon continued his rise as a star defenseman with a career year setting career-highs in shots (155), assists (55) and points (67) – of which the latter two stats led the team. He also led the team in blocked shots with 162 proving his acumen at both ends of the ice. The first defenseman to lead the Legion in scoring since Erik Killinger in S74, Chameleon’s 67 points ranked 13^th among VHL defensemen as he provided a veteran presence on a young blueline. He also led the team with 12 power play assists and played more minutes than Toronto’s other defenders.

 

Rookie of the Year

Mac Atlas

The 1^st Overall pick from the S87 Draft didn’t disappoint as he quickly became a key cog in the Legion’s offense and locker room. As highlighted above, the American center had 46 points (third in team scoring), including 23 goals, good for second on the Legion, and also led the team in shooting percentage (11.0%) and ice time (2181 minutes). Along with a number of other rookies who starred for Toronto this season, Atlas will undoubtedly look to take the next step on and off the ice next season to help the Legion get to the playoffs.

 

Unsung Hero

Joel Castle

Toronto’s 1^st rounder from S86, Castle debuted as the starter when Oskar Lindbergh was traded to Calgary in the off-season. The lightning-quick Canadian stepped in and stopped a lot of rubber for the rebuilding Legion, helping them stay competitive each night despite icing such a young lineup. He managed an impressive 0.915 save percentage, 19 wins, and was among the league leaders with four shutouts. Where he really shone was in the shootout, pacing all VHL starters by stopping 88.5% of shooters he faced.

 

Most Energetic

Quinn Clark

If Chameleon was the wise old wizard on the back end, Quinn Clark was the magic cauldron that never stopped bubbling. He led Legion defensemen in goals (13), and was second in minutes played, shots, and blocked shots. His non-stop motor helped him lead the team in game-winning goals (4) and was especially on display on the power play where his skating and playmaking ability enabled him to lead the team in power-play goals (10) and points (19).

 

Most Gentlemanly

Joel Castle

Even though just a rookie, Castle's friendly, easy-going Canadian personality reverberated through the locker room and kept his teammates calm on the ice. He stayed competitive and optimistic while facing upwards of 35 shots a night but never got frustrated or let the losing get to him. He was always positive and edifying and that rubbed off on the team. It was heard that he would even complement players in the shootout on their dekes after he stopped them.

 

Most Valuable Player

Kyle Peace

Legion legend Kyle Peace led Toronto in goals for the second straight season with 29 and led the team in shots with 345 – 132 more than the next closest teammate. Among Toronto forwards, he was first in assists, points, and blocked shots and was one of only two Legion players to score short-handed. He showed a young roster what it takes to play in the VHL night after night especially all the little details necessary to play an excellent 200-foot game.

 

Legionary of the Year

Kyle Peace

With such an inexperienced roster taking to the ice each night, lifetime Legion legend Kyle Peace provided the veteran skill and presence that the team desperately needed. The grizzled captain was vocal in the locker room providing encouragement despite a losing record and direction when needed. Since he has spent his entire eight-season career in Toronto, he is one of the most recognized athletes in the city and his ever-increasing community ventures and charity work continue to enrich his legacy.

 

Captain Kyle Peace

 

3-Stars Award

Joel Castle

Although they were the second-worst team in the league, there were still some bright moments and more often than not, Joel Castle was one of the players shining. He led the Legion with 10 1^st Star selections (more than double the next player), 410 points and 16 overall Star selections. He was named the 1^st Star in each of the four shutouts he posted and proved he may be the franchise goaltender the Legion were hoping for when they drafted him in the first round in the S86 Draft. 

 

Full 3-Star standings below:

 

Player	1st	2nd	3rd	Star Points	Total Stars
Joel Castle	10	5	1	410	16
Kyle Peace	4	6	4	280	14
Sting Chameleon	2	3	4	160	9
Dens Oden	2	2	5	150	9
Mac Atlas	3	1	2	130	6
Quinn Clark	1	2	3	100	6
Babushka	1	1	1	60	3
Ryan	0	0	4	40	4
CDS Leb	0	1	2	40	3
Cadmael Ixazaluoh	1	0	1	40	2
DJ Fire Dragon	0	1	1	30	2
Alessio Simeoni	1	0	0	30	1
Deron Nesbitt	0	0	1	10	1
Harry Hagel	0	0	0	0	0

 

Congratulations to all the award winners and good luck in S88!

 

Spoiler

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Edited April 3, 2023 by animal74

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